BECKETT LEAGUE: Staithes centurions crush Valley

Andy Bloomfield

Staithes openers Stuart Marsay and Richard Hegarty hit a ton apiece as the Readers Scarborough Beckett Cricket League title-chasing side recorded the second highest total - 342-2 - in premier division history on their way to a massive 186-run win at home to Forge Valley.

The visitors probably regretted putting the hosts in to bat after having won the toss, Marsay smashing 108 including 19 fours and a six, while the returning Hegarty - back in action after recovering from a hand injury suffered in the early weeks of the season - remained unbeaten after a stylish unbeaten 106, which included 10 fours and a six.

The duo put on a massive 207 for the first wicket, then Simon Bowes, who came into bat with only seven overs left, struck a rapid 61 not out, which saw him clear the ropes four times and smack seven fours as Staithes amassed 342-2, Brad Lewis also chipping in with 39.

Joe Bradshaw continued his cracking form with 57, but, apart from John Flinton’s 27, he was offered little support as Valley slipped to 156 all out thanks to an impressive 4-40 from Aussie spinner Justin Ringin and 3-24 from Chris Morrison.

Staxton edged clear at the top thanks to a 92-run win at Clarence Drive against Filey.

A positive 46 from Jodie Robson, allied to 36 from Chris Dove, steered the visitors to 177-9.

Aaron Howard’s powerful 39 gave Filey a glimmer of hope but four wickets apiece from Linden Gray and Elliott Cooper saw Filey skittled for 85.

Cayton eased to an eight-wicket win at Nawton Grange to keep their title challenge on track.

The visitors asked Nawton to bat first and pace duo Brett Crowe (3-28) and Jake McAleese (3-39) prevented the hosts from gaining any momentum.

Nick Thornicroft’s fine form continued with 31 and Dean Coote added 30 not out to see their side 148 all out.

All-round hero McAleese then led the way with the bat, top scoring with 69 and with the prolific Michael Dennis making 36, Cayton romped home in just 21 overs to boost their quest for silverware.

Adam Spaven and Paul Kinghorn took four wickets apiece as Heslerton secured a six-wicket win at home to Ebberston.

Heslerton put Ebberston into bat, a decision that soon paid off as the visitors lost former Heslerton opener Adrian Turnbull LBW to the first ball of the match and Jonny Mason within the first over bowled by paceman Adam Spaven.

Spaven and Dan Jeminson kept control as Ebberston slipped to 27-4 with all four wickets falling to the Heslerton fast bowler.

Reece Milner worked hard for his side’s top score of 29 but Spaven’s 4-19 and 4-49 from former Snainton seamer Kinghorn reduced the visitors to 124 all out from 43.4 overs with deputy keeper Tom Benthall taking four excellent catches.

The hosts lost Jake Keyworth early on but Rob Middlewood, 33, kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely.

After the latter’s dismissal veteran Tony Watson played an anchor role, as his unbeaten 50 steered Heslerton to victory.

In the basement battle, Scalby gained a much-needed four-wicket win at Flixton 2nds.

The hosts posted 177-5 with Stephen Hill making 38, Chris Allen 32, Leigh Franks 30 and Geoff Hill, who made 27, all getting starts but failing to make a big score.

Ryan Labuschagne produced the match’s best innings, as his 65, alongside Freddie Schmuck’s 33 saw Scalby take 16 points in a valuable win with four overs - and four wickets - to spare.

Seamer are back on top of division A after an 18-point win at Cayton 2nds, while Mulgrave suffered their third defeat of the season at Grindale.

Spinner Matty Vincent took a superb 6-23 as the visitors were dismissed for 81, ending their four-match winning streak.

Settrington beat Wold Newton by 83 runs to ease their relegation worries and add to basement club Newton’s anxiety.

The hosts batted first and made 210-6 with Adam Morley leading the way with 45. Left-hander Stephen Beal, 37, also offered a good contribution before an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand between Jamie Rounthwaite, 37no, and Ben Corner, 28no, ensured a fine total.

Matthew Southwell tried to respond with 34 and Ben Clappison also chipped in with 31, but seam bowler Corner bagged 6-29 to cap a fine personal performance as his side secured back-to-back wins.

Thornton Dale jumped into second place in division B as they hammered hosts Forge Valley 2nds by 126 runs at Wilson’s Lane.

Eric Hall bludgeoned a typically aggressive 40 in reply but found support in short supply as Oliver was also the star after tea, claiming a superb 5-32 as Valley slumped to 87 all out.

The game of the day in this division saw in-form Ganton edge home by a single wicket at Fylingdales.

Captain Barry Heyes made 46 and Joe Husband 44 as the home side posted a competitive 162-7. Alastair Limb proved Ganton’s best bowler with 4-31.

Limb also found form with the bat, making a half-century and Will Bradley 37 sneaked the visitors home in the 39th over, despite Mark Estill’s fine spell of 4-27.

Leaders Staxton 2nds showed no mercy as they romped to a 155-run home win over ailing Scarborough 3rds, who are now 50 points adrift of safety.

Liam Scott smashed 77 and found good support from Mark Dove, 35, and Matthew Pearson, 33, as they racked up 219-9.

Scarborough’s reply was scuppered by spin duo Kingsley Gray and Dove who followed up his good innings with 3-15, although it was Gray who took the headlines, finishing with stunning figures of 6-15 from 12 overs with seven maidens.

Scalby 2nds rattled up a massive 296-8 on their own patch against struggling Sewerby 2nds,

Nigel Clapham led the way for the Carr Lane club with a fine 90, while Tom Gregory added 51, Carl Marton 45 and Tim Barton 32 as they posted a daunting total.

Harry Gunning shone for the visitors taking 4-63, but Sewerby slipped to 87 all out in reply, Charlie Hopper the top Scalby bowler with 3-19.

Bridlington upset promotion-challenging Ravenscar as they bowled out the home side for 111.

Jish Rewcroft made 49 but he was the only batsman to show any resistance against Andrew Battens, 3-19, and Peter Bowtell, who took 3-27.

In reply, Harrison Male showed he was in no mood to hang around making a fine 67 not out and Steve Lount 33 not out to secure an eight-wicket win that boosts their chances of beating the drop, despite Will Warwick’s 2/28.

Ebberston 2nds remain top of division C as they plundered 241-5 against Heslerton 2nds.

Dave Bentley made 86 and the consistent Alex Machin 38, while Joe Tyson also chipped in with 33 as the leaders proved their credentials.

Heslerton were then shot out for 58, Tom Holmes doing the damage with 3-21.

Flamborough travelled to Great Habton and posted a competitive 179-8, with Luke Dixon’s 84 and Andy Dixon’s 50 at the heart of the innings.

Habton’s captain John Lumley, 73, and Ben Holtby, who continued his great season making 44, timed the chase to perfection winning by six wickets with an over to spare as they moved into second place.

Wykeham 2nds’ D Stockhill had remarkable figures of 6-9 as he and Steve Day, 3-29, shot out hosts Seamer 2nds out in 29.5 overs for 98.

The visitors claimed 19 points as Andy Shepherdson’s 45 not out and Ethan Pashby’s unbeaten 39 eased their side home.

READERS SCARBOROUGH BECKETT CRICKET LEAGUE RESULTS FROM SATURDAY JULY 4